Dec14

Question 1

adept

Answer 1

adj. able to do something well, being talented
syn. Skilled

He’s adept at calming noisy children.
The investigators were adept at their jobs.

Question 2

adhere
n. Adherence

Answer 2

v. to stick to or follow precisely
syn. Comply

Travelers must adhere to the laws of the country they are visiting.
The referee’s excessively strict adherence to the rules upset the players.

Question 3

Foster

Answer 3

v. To promote growth or development
syn. Stimulate

The industrial revolution foster the rise of the middle class.
Parents usually foster the development of good habits in their children.

Question 4

halt
adv. Haltingly
adj. Halting
n. Halt

Answer 4

v. to stop or discontinue
syn. Stop

Bus service to the city was halted, due to poor road conditions.
The supervisor put a halt to the tardiness of the employees.

Question 5

handle
n. Handling

Answer 5

v. To deal with or control
syn. manage

They handled themselves very well given the circumstances.
The president’s handling of the crisis was widely applauded.

Question 6

Harbor

Answer 6

v. to give protection; to not expresse a desire or opinion, usually bad
syn. Shelter

He harbors ill feelings for her.
The harbored the political refugee in the home.

Question 7

harmful
adv. harmfully
v. harm
n. harm

Answer 7

adj. something that causes pain or damage
syn. Unhealthy

Excessive radiation is harmful to the body.
Bleach harms certain fabrics.

Question 8

insignificant
adv. Insignificantly
n. insignificance

Answer 8

adj. not important; of little value
syn. Meaningless

The amount of rainfall this summer has been insignificant.
The significance of his comment became apparent with the passing of time.

Question 9

mysterious
adv. Mysteriously
n. Mystery
n. Mysteriousness

Answer 9

adj. Not easily understood or figured out
syn. baffling

He had a mysterious effect on everyone who heard him speak.
The man’s disappearance was a mystery.

Question 10

perilous
adv. Perilously
n. Peril

Answer 10

adj. Threatening or risky; harmful
syn. Dangerous

It is perilous to exceed the speed limit.
There are ample perils in the supports of mountain climbing.

Question 11

promote
n. Promoter
n. Promotion

Answer 11

v. to encourage or advertise; to elevate in rank or grade
syn. boost

Many nations promote tourism to lure foreign currency.
The customers responded favorably to the half-price promotion.

Question 12

redundant
n. Redundancy
adv. Redundantly

Answer 12

adj. being excessive; showing unnecessary repetition
syn. Repetitious

Students who ask teachers to “repeat that again“ are being redundant, because “repeat” means “again.“
Lush, redundant vegetation is common in tropical climates.

Question 13

reject
n. Rejection

Answer 13

v. To refuse.
syn. Refuse

The insurance company rejected the claim.
The rejection of his work was difficult for him to understand.

Question 14

substantial
adv. Substantially
adj. Sub, tentative

Answer 14

adj. Important; strongly made; of value
syn. Significant

The discovery of a vaccine for smallpox was a substantial medical achievement.
This substantive article will change your opinion of rock music.

Question 15

trait

Answer 15

n. Specific qualities that distinguish one from another
syn. Characteristic

Her sense of humor and cheerful personality are some of her most impressive traits.
Alma’s blonde hair is the traits inherited from her father.

Question 16

underscore

Answer 16

v. To make evident or emphasize
syn. highlight

The high quality of the student’s science fair project underscored her talent in biology.
The conclusion of the report should underscore its main ideas.